Rigby Highland Stalker - preferred scope

[JPbowhunter]

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Swaro z8i 1,7-13,3x42 P caliber .275 & here she is in the Karoo on a driven springbok shoot.....


View attachment 788530

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Perfect setup for that gun

 

[Tintin]

z3 3.5-10x 42mm on mine

 

[pc3]

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Swaro z8i 1,7-13,3x42 P caliber .275 & here she is in the Karoo on a driven springbok shoot.....


View attachment 788530

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Stunning set up….nice piece of wood, I’d have probably swapped to the .275 (for the nostalgia) but a good deal on the 30/06 won the day.

Are they Talley bases/rings ?

Cheers pc3

 

[txtrout75218]

Stunning set up….nice piece of wood, I’d have probably swapped to the .275 (for the nostalgia) but a good deal on the 30/06 won the day.

Are they Talley bases/rings ?

Cheers pc3

It's hard to say that the 30-06 winning the day was a bad thing.

 

[Garciamarquez1918]

I have an S&B on my Big Game PH but ithe rifle has a dull finish on the metal so a modern matte finish on the scope looks good. On a HS I'd at least consider the Leica Fortis for its very retro look, although I'm not crazy about the reticle on those scopes. I'm baffled as to why they have those very light cross hairs.

 

[Red Leg]

The Highland Stalker has a very long length of pull for a rifle utilizing a mauser action - at least for humans of normal physical dimensions. Mine is a .275 and I tried both Leica and Zeiss 30mm models - the Leica went with it to Africa - but I really had to crawl up the stock to have a clear sight picture. That is not a conducive practice for quick target acquisition or proper follow-through of the shot. I finally solved the problem with a 1" Swaro Z5 that had plenty of tube length to set the scope back adequately using Talley detachable rings.

 

[Mats Bergholm]

Just wondering what scope, if any, people are using on their Rigby HS rifles (or other similar stalking rifles) ?

And, why did you choose what you chose?

My HS is in 30/06. She has a 1” S&B 4x scope in EAW QD mounts. I chose that setup because 4x is all I need for hunting and I didn’t want a big, heavy scope upsetting the balance of the rifle.

However, more often than not I hunt her with just the iron sights.

She’s a delightful rifle to shoot.

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Im having a Super Light .'275 Accelerated Expess' (7x64) built by the Swedish Master gunmaker PO Stenmark on a Single Squarebridge Waffenfabrik Mauser 98 Sporter action. Wanted a slim 1" scope, preferable a Swarovski Z3 3-9x36, but couldnt find any for sale.

So I went for a Meopta Meopro 3-9x42 with 1" tube. Those Meopta scopes are underrated and fantastic value for the money.

 

[pc3]

The Highland Stalker has a very long length of pull for a rifle utilizing a mauser action - at least for humans of normal physical dimensions. Mine is a .275 and I tried both Leica and Zeiss 30mm models - the Leica went with it to Africa - but I really had to crawl up the stock to have a clear sight picture. That is not a conducive practice for quick target acquisition or proper follow-through of the shot. I finally solved the problem with a 1" Swaro Z5 that had plenty of tube length to set the scope back adequately using Talley detachable rings.


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Thanks Red Leg, the long LOP i'll het on my HS suits me....many factory rifles are far to short, the CZ550 safaris fit me perfectly they are over 14", I also have a SBL Marlin 45/70, I need to add some length to that its to short. Y9our rifle looks great, well set up.

 

[Charlie64]

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I think one of the most 'classic' looking scopes would be the Swarovski Z3 - beauty on a 1" tube.

I needed something more versatile on my Rigby hence the Z8i.

However, I have a couple of Mauser 66s on which I have the Z3 scopes & I think they are awesome!

Cheers

.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

The Highland Stalker has a very long length of pull for a rifle utilizing a mauser action - at least for humans of normal physical dimensions. Mine is a .275 and I tried both Leica and Zeiss 30mm models - the Leica went with it to Africa - but I really had to crawl up the stock to have a clear sight picture. That is not a conducive practice for quick target acquisition or proper follow-through of the shot. I finally solved the problem with a 1" Swaro Z5 that had plenty of tube length to set the scope back adequately using Talley detachable rings.


View attachment 788529

Thats why I went with the z8i 1-8, the long tube length on the Swarovski's is the best choice in my opinion. Originally had a leupold 1.5-5 on my first HS, it was ok but the Swarovski is much better.

 

[Russ16]

Swarovski Z5i+ 2-10 would be a good fit as well.

 

[Hedge774]

I hate to let you guys down, but unless I win a Rigby in some kind of epic raffle, I'll never have one. A Highland Stalker in 9.3x62 would be my absolute dream rifle. I would also look at the Swaro Z5i+ 2-10 first for this fantasy.

 

[pc3]

Swarovski Z5i+ 2-10 would be a good fit as well.

I will check the length out in comparison to the Klassic SB.

 

[pc3]

I hate to let you guys down, but unless I win a Rigby in some kind of epic raffle, I'll never have one. A Highland Stalker in 9.3x62 would be my absolute dream rifle. I would also look at the Swaro Z5i+ 2-10 first for this fantasy.

Never say never....human determination can make many things happen. I'm "attempting" to thin the herd so to speak and have less but better now I've crossed the 50 mark, you set a saving goal etc. sell off a couple you don't use, keep and eye out for a nice used example and make it happen !

On another theme there is a lot of love for the 9.3 in a HS, I am a little partial to the .375 H&H in a Rigby with the "Vintage" stock to shave a little weight as a step up from the 30/06, but the HS in 9.3 is a trimmer package and more powerful.

I'm finding it hard to be decisive about thinning as i have some nice ELR stuff there with good components etc. that I just like....but heavy and don't get used much.

 

[pc3]

Thats why I went with the z8i 1-8, the long tube length on the Swarovski's is the best choice in my opinion. Originally had a leupold 1.5-5 on my first HS, it was ok but the Swarovski is much better.

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Thats a sensational bit of timber on your HS...I love the 1-8 Swaro, I have one on my CZ .416

 

[R eight]

It's hard to say that the 30-06 winning the day was a bad thing.

Yeah, 30/06 or 9.3 x 62 in the HS are hard to beat.

 

[Hedge774]

Never say never....human determination can make many things happen. I'm "attempting" to thin the herd so to speak and have less but better now I've crossed the 50 mark, you set a saving goal etc. sell off a couple you don't use, keep and eye out for a nice used example and make it happen !

On another theme there is a lot of love for the 9.3 in a HS, I am a little partial to the .375 H&H in a Rigby with the "Vintage" stock to shave a little weight as a step up from the 30/06, but the HS in 9.3 is a trimmer package and more powerful.

I'm finding it hard to be decisive about thinning as i have some nice ELR stuff there with good components etc. that I just like....but heavy and don't get used much.

Why I say, "Never". If I did have the money for one of these beautiful things, I would also have the money for my buffalo hunt. I have multiple rifles capable of hunting a buffalo successfully. I believe I'd be remiss If I spent the money on my dream rifle instead of my dream experience. It's not that don't believe. I've achieved things I never dreamed would happen.(Praise God) It's just a priority shift, so to speak. Thanks for the encouragement, my friend!

 

[Tintin]

I tried the Mauser Hexalock mounts, found them a bit tall and also could not get the scope rearward enough for my preferred eye relief.

I went to Leupold QD Extension rings, offering height options and providing scope mounting further rearward.

 

[pc3]

I tried the Mauser Hexalock mounts, found them a bit tall and also could not get the scope rearward enough for my preferred eye relief.

I went to Leupold QD Extension rings, offering height options and providing scope mounting further rearward.

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I gather they are easier on the wallet as well….what is the part number of these ? Does the HS have the same base screw pattern as say a rem700 ?

 

[Tintin]

@pc3

HS uses Mauser 98 commercial bases (sometimes referred to as FN). Part nos for the Leupold bases are

50055 Gloss
50056 Matte

Sadly discontinued now ;-(

with a bit of hunting you might find some.

QR Mauser FN 2-pc Matte

Leupold® steel Quick Release (QR™) rings and bases make it easy to remove your optic from your firearm and replace it, all while maintaining zero (+/- ¼ MOA). This specific model is for a Mauser FN and are a popular choice for muzzle loaders and large caliber rifles.

www.leupold.com

will be cheaper than Hexalocks

As an aside - did you happen to buy your .30-06 used from Mansfield H &F?